Writing and its Characters

"In his book, The Art of Creative Writing, Lajos Egri asserts that the key to originality in fiction comes from characters.

'Living, vibrating human beings are still the secret and magic formula of great and enduring writing. Read, or better, study the immortals and we will be forced to conclude that their unusual penetration into human character is what has kept their work fresh and alive through the centuries...'

Lets test this.

What is it that sets Dickens apart in our minds? Fagin and Wilkins Micawber; Uriah Heep and Miss Havisham; Peggotty and Barkis. Characters who sparkle in his plots like jewels.

How about a more contemporary example? I mentioned Stephen King. Study his work and you will see that his character development is every bit as original as his plot lines. The two work together. Take a look at the myriad characters in The Stand; you will not find a dullard anywhere.

Don't let any of your characters plop into your plot like plain vanilla. Spice them up.

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell